Fulcrum Torpedo?

sythsillis · Post by **sythsillis** » Thu Jul 02, 2015 9:33 pm

Just as a change of pace, I picked up a fulcrum torpedo and used it to kill a Vonari capital ship ( I generally use exodus missiles.). I received the message: "Mission Accomplished" and then my ship blew up! Was I caught in the blast radius, and should I use reverse thrusters after firing it? I must be missing something.

CS-ACI- · Post by **CS-ACI-** » Thu Jul 02, 2015 9:50 pm

Hello,

When using a Fulcrum Torpedo you need to plan your escape, but remember to stay in the same sector.

Steve

Post by **Marvin** » Thu Jul 02, 2015 10:56 pm

As discussed in the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Evoverse:

The Fulcrum Torpedo

Controversy continues to surround the production and employment of the fulcrum torpedo. Originally available only to Naval combat units, the law firm of Albertson, Cronyn, Liberetto & Utters, representing a consortium of mercenary guilds, argued successfully for their release to the general public. Soon thereafter, reports of capital ships and entire fleets disappearing without a trace increased dramatically, spawning a reevaluation of FT distribution policy. Currently, FTs can only be legally sold to Alliance mercenary pilots, either those pilots of relatively good reputation or those able to pay a hefty docking fee. Nonetheless, incidents of fleet disappearances continue to plague many of the Evoverse's gated star systems.

[align=center]
Fulcrum Torpedo (courtesy of DaveK)[/align]

Design and development of the FT is almost as fraught with controversy as is its dissemination and use. Early models were little more than an upgraded version of tactical nuclear missiles. The main drawback being an excessive amount of residual radiation, poisoning the battle area and, consequently, requiring immediate evacuation of the contended star system.

[align=center]
Early model nuclear missile[/align]

Eventually, a combination of matter and antimatter replaced radioactive material. During the first attempt at building this new type FT, the containment field separating matter from antimatter collapsed, resulting in a catastrophic explosion the likes of which wouldn't be seen again until the second attempt. And the third. But, as the old saying goes: three's a charm.

The situation changed after the invention of jumpgates (see entry on jumpgates). While galactic law normally prohibits adaption of civilian technology to military weaponry, the law was circumvented when Naval authorities disclosed that a covert government agency had financed early stages of jumpgate research. As a consequence, the military was awarded joint custody of any and all patents associated with jumpgate operation. In the words of Dr. Harold 'Pete' Peters, head of R&D at IMG, "The Alliance Navy has finally managed to ram its missile through our jumpgate."

Not longer after the first nuclear FT had been converted to antimatter, the entire process somehow fell into Federation hands. Threat of all-out FT warfare between factions became a reality. Or at least a really bad rumor. Consequently, treaties were written, debated, rewritten and eventually signed by both parties. The entire FT inventory was transported to a hidden planet near the Peal system. And there it remained until, thanks to the above mentioned lawsuit, it was subsequently sold off to a handful of private companies.

While specifics remain classified, H2GE analysts have managed to learn this much about how FTs operate: they make for big explosions. Other than that, we have no idea how jumpgate technology has been adapted to keep FTs from prematurely blowing up and unintentionally killing the good guys.

Rubber Chicken · Post by **Rubber Chicken** » Fri Jul 03, 2015 1:42 am

If you hover the mouse pointer over the Fulcrum Torpedo item in the inventory menu, I believe the torp's travel range before detonation and blast radius is shown above the item's picture. That's the absolute minimum distance you want to be from the target (provided you've hit it dead-on) before it explodes.

CS-ACI- · Post by **CS-ACI-** » Fri Jul 03, 2015 7:04 am

Hello,

They are pretty to watch.

Steve

sythsillis · Post by **sythsillis** » Fri Jul 03, 2015 7:47 am

Thanks, guys. I think I'll stay with exodus missiles for now. They have served me well. I'll wait until I get a Klingon Battle Cruiser before I try that again!

SeeJay · Post by **SeeJay** » Fri Jul 03, 2015 8:03 am

Pass your target, rotate so you fly backwards, then launch weapon just within the max Torpedo Range. Accelerate backwards using reverse thrust and afterburner.

Watch the BBQ!;)

[Edited on 2015-7-3 by SeeJay]

Post by **Marvin** » Fri Jul 03, 2015 2:11 pm

Or set a jump point in the same sector but as far away from your current location as you can get (both in the horizontal and vertical).

Nigel_Strange · Post by **Nigel_Strange** » Fri Jul 03, 2015 2:50 pm

If you are going backward, and you fire the torp, wouldn't the torp just sit there, not moving, because it's thrusting against reverse momentum?

I usually try to position myself at the distance of the torp travel distance, then I come to full stop. Then I launch the torp, but stay where I am.

SeeJay · Post by **SeeJay** » Fri Jul 03, 2015 5:32 pm

If you go to fast, yes. But you don't start the acceleration until after launch

Rubber Chicken · Post by **Rubber Chicken** » Sat Jul 04, 2015 3:14 am

I wish I could describe in detail how to get a good launch, but all I can really say is that when everything goes right, it looks like a textbook 3-point basketball shot.